Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis, Morfa Harlech 2019
Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis was formerly local but widespread across England and Wales. It has declined dramatically in England and since 2000 is extant at just five of the forty known locations. In Wales, this species has fared better but is restricted to grazed coastal sand dune systems. Historically known from fifteen sites, it was still present at half of these in 2017. The beetle feeds on the dung of a range of mammals but is probably dependent for breeding on medium to large herbivore dung such as cattle, ponies and sheep. A survey in 2017 of all the known sites in Wales found Onthophagus nuchicornis at seven localities – Kenfig Burrows (975 adults), Merthyr Mawr Warren (36), Morfa Harlech (1), Oxwich Burrows (4), Pembrey Burrows (32), Pennard Burrows (4) and Whiteford Burrows (5). The authors regard the populations at Kenfig Burrows and Methyr Mawr to be the best in the UK. Elsewhere, absence and low population levels are strongly correlated to the cessation of grazing and the quantity and quality of available dung on sand. Following the 2017 survey, a more intensive survey of Morfa Harlech, which represents a northern outlier for the beetle, was undertaken in 2019 to determine the status of Onthophagus nuchicornis at this site.
- Identification
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Identification
- Identifier
- NRW_DS124735
- Metadata Language
- English
- Lineage
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The aim of the survey was to determine the current status and distribution of the dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech dunes and to recommend appropriate management strategies to encourage the conservation of O. nuchicornis. Field work was carried out between 15th and 20th July 2019. An extensive survey across the NNR and SSSI areas of Morfa Harlech was undertaken. Weather conditions were favourable throughout the survey period, except for last day when it rained heavily. A range of sampling techniques were used during the survey, these were: a visual search, dung sieving and baited pitfall traps.
- Additional Information
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Mann, C.M. & Mann, D.J. 2020. The status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019. NRW Evidence Report No: 421, 29pp. Natural Resources Wales, Bangor
- Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
- 2020-03-31
Temporal Extent
- Begin date
- 2019-07-15
- End date
- 2019-07-20
- Topic category
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- Biota
Extent
Extent
- Geographic Extent
- GWYNEDD - GWYNEDD
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Distribution
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Database
Database
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The data archive contains: [A] The final report in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats. [B] Species records, which are held on the NRW Recorder 6 database.
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Database
Database
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Quality
Data quality
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Lineage
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The aim of the survey was to determine the current status and distribution of the dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech dunes and to recommend appropriate management strategies to encourage the conservation of O. nuchicornis. Field work was carried out between 15th and 20th July 2019. An extensive survey across the NNR and SSSI areas of Morfa Harlech was undertaken. Weather conditions were favourable throughout the survey period, except for last day when it rained heavily. A range of sampling techniques were used during the survey, these were: a visual search, dung sieving and baited pitfall traps.
Keywords
Keywords
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Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2008-06-01
Keywords
- NRW Thesaurus
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- Morfa Harlech
- Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle
- Onthophagus nuchicornis
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2023-12-31
Spatial Reference System
- Code
- NONE
Content
Content Information
NRW Profile
Custom Elements
- NRW Related Title
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The Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019
Constraints
Constraints
Limitations on Public Access and Use
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Access Constraints Directive
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- no limitations
Access Constraints Text
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There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
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© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.
Attribution Statement
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- Open Government Licence (OGL)
Licence
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- Open Government Licence (OGL)
Metadata
Metadata
- File Identifier
- 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313234373335 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2024-05-31T09:41:07.475Z
- Metadata Standard Name
- NRW
- Metadata Standard Version
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1.0